By King Amoah
Kumasi, Ghana – The alarming rise in illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as “galamsey,” poses a significant threat to Ghana’s environment, water bodies, and the well-being of its communities.
Recent comments from Stephen Okrah, a prominent advocate for environmental stewardship, underscore a compelling argument that the responsibility for this crisis cannot rest solely on the shoulders of government officials.
Instead, traditional leaders, particularly chiefs, must be held more accountable for the rampant illegal mining in their jurisdictions.
Traditionally regarded as custodians of the land, chiefs are expected to serve as protectors of their communities’ natural resources and cultural heritage.
Okrah in an interview emphasizes that chiefs have a crucial role in preserving the environment for current and future generations.
Given their integral ties to the community, chiefs are deemed responsible for regulating activities that endanger the land and the livelihoods of the people.
“Chiefs are entrusted with the stewardship of our lands,” Okrah stated emphatically in Kumasi.
Stressing“It is their duty to prevent the misuse of our natural resources and therefore they should not allow illegal miners to exploit these resources in exchange for money.”
This perspective challenges the narrative that government intervention is the only solution to the galamsey crisis.
Instead, it posits that local governance and traditional leadership play a pivotal role in addressing this pressing issue.
According to the gentleman, illegal miners often flood into wealth-rich areas, drawn by the prospect of quick financial gains, noting that no individual can embark on a galamsey mission without the approval of the local chief.
Okrah intimated that “before anyone can initiate such destructive activities, they must have the mandate from the chief.
This complicity and negligence, according to Okrah, warrants serious scrutiny and potential accountability measures against chiefs found to be enabling or profiting from illegal mining operations.
Okrah posited that currently the galamsey activities are having dire consequences for the environment and public health, as rivers are poisoned with toxic chemicals, lands are scarred by excavation, and communities find themselves in conflict over dwindling resources.
Okrah believes that chiefs who turn a blind eye or actively support these illegal endeavors should face punishment, as their actions directly contribute to the degradation of the environment.
He further stated that by holding chiefs accountable for their role in this crisis, Ghana can take meaningful steps toward reclaiming its environment and ensuring a sustainable future for its people.
It is time for chiefs to act as true custodians of the land and its people, safeguarding the environment rather than allowing it to be exploited for short-term benefits, Okrah concluded.
